Plans to turn a Middlesbrough nightclub into a lap dancing venue have been stalled.
It was revealed at a Middlesbrough Council’s licensing subcommittee meeting today that the owner of Slam! on Exchange Square has withdrawn its application to vary its premises licence.
It had requested to lengthen its opening hours.
Cleveland Police also told the panel chaired by Councillor Bernie Taylor prior to the meeting that, following negotiations with Slam!, they would withdraw their objections.
Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald - who had previously called the plans “demeaning” and “juvenile” said today: “It seems that good sense has prevailed. I’m delighted that this will not now go ahead.”
As reported, Wild West Leisure Ltd who own Slam! - formerly the Royal Exchange near Middlesbrough Railway Station - submitted the application to vary the premises licence, which proposes the supply of alcohol from 11am to 4am daily and provision of regulated entertainment from 11am to 4am daily.
Currently the premises sells alcohol from 11am to 4am Monday, 11am to 3am Tuesday to Saturday and noon to 2am Sunday.
Alterations revealed in the council meeting’s agenda included a new entrance, a new wall to create two rooms, removal of fixed seating and provision of booth seating to create a lap dancing area.
The application did not include an application for a sexual entertainment venue licence. If the application to vary the premises licence had been successful, then a separate application for a sexual entertainment venue licence would have had to have been submitted and granted prior to “any activities classed as sexual in nature” taking place at the premises.
Cleveland Police objected on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety quoting several assaults at the venue and raising concerns it would attract the “wrong clientele”.
Middlesbrough’s first lap dancing club Secrets within Spensley’s Emporium on Albert Road opened amid controversy in 2003.
It was closed in December 2010 following complaints by the police.
The Gazette has been unable to contact Wild West Leisure Ltd for a comment.
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